Igwe Chijioke Nwankwo, the traditional ruler of Nawfia community in Njikoka local government area of Anambra State, has spoken out against what he claims is harassment and intimidation by the police in the state.
He said he was driving out of his palace on Christmas Eve to go to the Ofala festival of Igwe Robert Eze, the traditional ruler of Ukpo in the Dunukofia local government and the younger brother of the well-known philanthropist Prince Arthur Eze. About four policemen stopped him and told him he was wanted at the police station.
According to the monarch, the police afterwards handed him a letter inviting him to the state Criminal Investigation Department, CID, where he was instructed to see O/c D4.
He felt particularly insulted by the state police command’s denigration of his position as a traditional ruler. He pointed out that the police in the letter only addressed him as “Mr.” Ferdinand Nwankwo rather than as is customarily done for a traditional monarch: “Igwe” or “His Royal Highness.”
According to him, on December 28, 2022, Justice Peace Otti of the High Court 3, Awka issued an order compelling the state government to revoke the certificate of recognition given to one Dan Obelle by the immediate past Governor Willie Obiano as the traditional ruler of Nawfia. He also mentioned that he had already served the Court Order on the state government and the state police command.
In addition, he claimed that the same court had previously ordered that the “status quo ante” be maintained concerning the dispute over the Nawfia traditional stool until his lawsuit contesting his suspension and dethronement by the Obiano administration was resolved.
Igwe Nwankwo stated that he had presented the police command with all court orders related to the controversies surrounding his traditional stool. This included the most recent two court orders, one stating that the status quo ante should be maintained and the other directing the state government to revoke the certificate of recognition issued to Dan Obelle as the traditional ruler of Nawfia.
On December 28, 2022, Justice Otti issued an order compelling the Anambra State State government “that the certificate of recognition issued to Dan Obelle as Igwe of Nawfia be withdrawn and for the Government of Anambra State, the Ho. Attorney-General of Anambra State, the Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers, and Chinweba Moguluwa.” Reporters obtained a copy of the order.
Ikenga Tochukwu, a spokesman for the state police command, was asked if the monarch had been invited, and he said that he was unaware of such an invitation. He emphasised the command’s dedication to preserving law and order and safeguarding citizens and their possessions.